Testimonials

My name is Marc Fesler and I am the Head Instructor and Founder of Hagana Azmit school of Krav Maga and self defense. I’m training in different styles of martial arts, including Sambo and Jujitsu for over 40 years. I have been working with ACT school and Alex Zhelezniak and Noah Gross (the Founders) since 2011. Hagana Azmit has organized more than 10 ACT seminars and Instructor Courses in France and Israel and also has taught ACT in the regular classes for the last 2 years. The concepts and the principles of transition from Knife Combat to anti knife defense have improved our self defense understanding. The full contact weapon sparring that ACT introduces, the realism of weapon attacks, the understanding of the distance to maximize the effectiveness of the defense, the study of the mindset of that attacker – all of these make ACT a vital part of our training method. It has been an honor and pleasure and the journey continues!

Marc Fesler

Chief instructor and founder, Hagana Azmit

“And now I’ll tell you about a man who really changed my views, if I may say so. He forced me to review everything: the arsenal, the methodology, the manner of teaching. This is my Teacher on ACT (Armed Combat & Tactics) Alexander Zheleznyak.
In many ways, thanks to him and his approach to teaching, there is a system known today as the Street Survival System.
Approximately ten years ago I began to search for some kind of system connected with the use of weapons. Naturally, I tried almost everything that was available then, but nothing gave that satisfaction and the sense of complete understanding of the system that I found in ACT. Clear, understandable algorithms, simple, without pretentiousness of technique (which does not mean that the heights and depths of performance are easy to achieve), excellent work with distance and timing, well-structured exercises for different levels of training, various weapons for completing the understanding of weapons in general. In general, I found what I was looking for. But it turned out that besides this and with it, I also found a new look at unarmed combat.
Alex teaches methodically, it is impossible to leave empty handed if you study with him, skillfully arranging the training process, noticing mistakes instantly and immediately correcting them. In addition, he teaches how to teach. And this is no less valuable than to be trained yourself. The motto of Alex and the school is “fight as you teach – teach as you fight,” which unambiguously indicates that this is an honest school, the learning of which occurs without deception. Proud!”

Michael Ryazanov

Chief instructor and founder, Street Survival System

ACT’s PRACTIC program provided me with a better understanding of fighting with weapons. And through that, I’m a better fighter (also with empty hands).
The course gives an incredible training methodology, easily transferred to Krav Maga or any other discipline.

Also it helped my school a lot because most of the students love ACT drills and the possibility of sparring almost from the first lesson. Since I have included ACT contents and methodology in my classes, the number of students has increased a lot.
Thanks Alex and Noah!!

Sergio Lopez

Chief instructor, Director ICCS Spain, AK – Self defense and weapons

I’m not exaggerating when I say that ACT is the most complete weapons-based system I know.

From an improvised weapon like a pen to the ancient weapons we all know and love from our childhood when we dreamt of being knights or samurai with noble quest and beautiful princesses to rescue.

Finding a good realistic weapons based system is like trying to find gold in a pile of manure. You have to wade through a lot of “muck” before you find something worthwhile.

I knew ACT from the famous youtube videos where they sparred with the special designed spata knives witch intrigued me. So when there was a seminar in the neighboring country Holland for the first time I decided to go and see for myself what they were all about. I decided then and there that I would train with ACT.

Training with armed combat and tactics was probably one of the smartest decisions I ever made. It hasn’t only changed my perception of weapon fighting and defense. It changed my view of unarmed combat as well. They also thought me not just how to teach the system and drills but also how to be a better teacher in general.

And it opened a whole new world of weapon fighting that was closed to me before. I started my journey to know how to defend myself and my students against the knife. Know I’m training with the ancient weapons of my fore fathers like the staff and longsword.

You shouldn’t train in ACT just for the self-defense, the martial arts, the amazing tactics, the insight, the history or the insane amount of knowledge they cram into you.

You should do it because it is a tremendous amount of fun

Timothy Tony-Huysmans

Chief instructor, Eburon street-fighting

“Imagine a situation in which a visitor enters a Dojo full of people who have been training for 20 years, and performs 100 bouts against them wining 95 of them with ease.

This is exactly what happened when Alex came to our club.

There is no doubt that in the realm of fighting with bladed weapons, the system Alex developed is one of the best if not the best.

Alex has an openness to learn from any person, and ability to analyze situations and find practical solutions, investing thought and in its footsteps hours of training to make it applicable in fighting.

What he dose is the closest one can come to fighting using safe sparring simulators. In addition and perhaps the most important is his excitement and joy of creating the system.

I have no doubt that, were I to continue my path in the world of martial arts I would engage diligently in this system.”

Moshe Zouler

Senior Bujinkan Ninjutsu instructor

For almost 20 years, I have practiced, and taught, the traditional martial arts of the Japanese sword. These arts provide great understanding of fencing and fighting techniques, mainly in their traditional context, but being ‘classical’, they are dogmatic in form and reason.

Since my personal interest in the sword is also practical, I have occasionally participated in ACT seminars in the last couple of years, and loved every minute of it!

To me, ACT is not a system, it is an Idea. Martial and fighting systems are, by definition, a reflection of a given culture, a time frame in history, type of weapon, strategic thought, etc. ACT does not limit itself to any dogma or perception. It is based on a simple idea – to collect, synthesize and adopt what works, and neglect what is inefficient or no longer relevant. ACT’s founders and instructors are driven by this idea, thus they are very effective, practical, and will surely continue to be so. ACT founder, Alex Zhelezniak, is a real sword master, with a passion and dedication that contribute to his teaching abilities. Last but not least – the ACT fighting experience is loads of FUN.

Where else can you parry a broadsword, strike your opponent’s head, lose your leg, and walk away with a big smile 🙂

I’d recommend the ACT experience to anyone interested in swordsmanship, no BS approach and the joy of fighting…

Eyal Weiss

Kendo & Laido 3rd dan

I see it as a pleasant duty to express in writing my heart felt thoughts and views of two martial artists, Noah Gross and Alex Zhelezniak.

I have been acquainted with Noah since the early 1990’s when he was a member of the international Budo Academy and it is he who introduced me to his friend and the co founder of the system, Alex.

The first time I was exposed to their special style of fighting with weapons both short and long,

I was surprised by the simplicity, soundness and realistic approach to armed combat. It was something very new, fresh and easy to understand and apply. As someone who has been practicing martial arts for more than 45 years I saw fit to invite them to present their system, A.C.T. – Armed Combat and Tactics, in the Kapap organzation I head, and to bring them to Europe to have this simple yet beautiful weapon fighting system seen and known. And so I did and was not wrong, their system was welcomed and well received in both the Kapap and Krav Maga organizations in Europe and I believe this is only the beginning.

Thank you for an amazingly high quality lesson in the field of weapons combat.

As the coordinator of the martial arts instructors’ course I’d like to thank you personally and in the name of the course participants.

The lesson itself like the amazing weapon simulators you’ve created provided an outstanding training experience and made it possible to take the training to the ‘edge’.

Haim Cohen

Founder (7th Dan Pankration) and Heaf of Hitgoneneut Rehov system

Several years ago on my journey in martial arts I crossed paths with that of Alexander Zhelezniak, founder of A.C.T. – armed combat and tactics school. This is also how I came to meet Noah Gross, senior instructor in this system. Since then I have managed to study the use of the European sword with Mr. Zhelezniak and to experience fighting with many other weapons (such as Jo, Katana, Machete).

The quality of ACT’s know-how in weapons fighting compelled me to open a training group for my senior students in Jerusalem under the instruction of Mr. Zhelezniak. Both Mr. Zhelezniak (ACT) and my self (AKBAN) as heads of our systems, work in the same field off combining ancient traditions with modern approach and research. At this juncture a spark is struck, a spark that revives a body of knowledge centuries old. Mr. Zhelezniak and his co-founder Noah Gross have been very successful at this. Bringing back to life European combat tradition and gaining new and profound knowledge of Oriental combat traditions by uncompromising combat training and dedication to the field we both work in. It is uncommon to find such profound practical knowledge as is reflected in Mr. Zhelezniaks fighting abilities.

All of these make for one of the most fascinating and innovative places to train in martial arts, world wide – the A.C.T school.

Yosi Sheriff

Head of Akban Budo Ninjutsu Academy

I have been enjoying ACT’s clips — the knife machete clips are very good and employ the best examples of using largo mano and a principle called elastico to break into close quarters ranges — well thought out.

Ralph Grasso

Retired NYPD/DSS (2nd Dan in Nippon Goshindo Jiu jitsu)

My name is Ran Sudai and I have been practicing Jujitsu since 1997.

As a person dedicated to the practice of combat in a manner that is as close as possible to reality and testing that knowledge through full contact, I’d like to recommend the A.C.T. system to anyone who is interested in acquiring knowledge and skill in weapon combat. It is a modern system which deals with bladed and impact weapons and draws on a variety of sources while constantly testing what works and what does not work in combat.

The full contact bouts (a part of the training curriculum) are conducted with the aid of unique simulators, possessing the weight and balance of the original weapons, which allow the trainee to practice full contact fighting in a safe manner which is very different from training with other types of equipment .

I was acquainted with the system for the first time during martial arts forum gathering. Alexander Zhelezniak, the system founder had given a demo class which has given me a first glimpse of the system and its practical approach. Since then I have experienced the system several times and every time it was clear how much more there is to learn about armed combat. The seriousness of those leading the system and their commitment to advancing it, which includes free sparring as part of their regular training with weapon simulators used by the school and the methodology they have developed, enable anyone who desires to acquire practical combative knowledge, to study in the most realistic and the safest way possible.

My warm recommendation and wishes of success to the system leaders.

Ran Sudai

Jujitsu Instructor (4th Dan)

I first heard about your system from Noah when he came to talk with me about his book about the history of Kapap and Krav Maga. As a result of this meeting after my curiosity had been aroused, I invited you to present your system to my students participating in “Budokan martial arts journey” designed for young Jews in the Diaspora.

I was impressed with the presentation of the subject matter and with your unique training methodology. The system teaches students the use of the weapons to deal with different scenarios while taking the training very close to the level of real confrontations. An approach reminiscent of the randori approach in Judo, and enables to develop a high level of combative skill.

I wish you much success in the future.

Yona Melnik

8th dan judo, one of the pioneers of Judo in Israel with multiple international and national titles in competitions, national and European Judge.